WSK up for auction on eBay

C

chardin

Joined
Oct 4, 2005
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It appears we have a new manufacturer of Wilderness Survival Knives on the scene. Red Scorpion Six is auctioning a custom-made rendition of the concept on eBay. The seller informs me that the blade is 440C stainless steel and the scales are linen micarta. I do not know the seller personally and have no stake in the sale of this or any other knife he makes.

I haven't had the opportunity to examine his product in person and the photos are not optimal, but he seems to have done some things correctly. The overall shape is a very orthodox Beck-type WSK with a good emphatic quarter rounder, and the handle looks to be reasonably width-contoured. These facts alone put it three laps ahead of the TOPS Tracker, in my opinion. The materials he cites seem like good choices for this type of knife as well.

I am not sure about the saw blade, though. I wish the seller had an edge-on view of it so that I could guess at its utility a little better. I am also concerned at the grip near the blade; it looks like it would be easy to slip and cut my finger. I have never handled it, though, so can't say for sure.

I'm glad to see more participation in this market. The WSK is a good idea, but it needs more and better implementations to make its mark.
 
I'd let someone else gamble on a "no-name" (not recognized maker and an assumption in this case) knife.

I've had and seen some good quality knives by relatively unknown makers, but most of them were less than quality pieces (no matter the cost) that left me less than satisfied.

Also, that knife ain't me cup o' tea.
 
:rolleyes:Hey, Fellas I heard there was some chatter out here about our knife. Wow I am flattered did not think I would get this type of response. Well here is the skinny straight from the horses mouth, I am up for putting our knife to the test. Let's come up with a standard test and put it through the ringer. One thing I have learned from my years in ARMY is that you should put your money where your mouth is or just go away. Dave Beck is one of my hero's I liked the knife could not find one, hell, I could not even get my hands on the TOPS Tracker. Emailed Roger Linger but was not up for the 6-8 month wait. So I built it. The first version because it had no saw back. I ran it through some knife shows in Indianapolis and everyone wanted the saw back so I came up with a design that would stay true to the appearence and functionality of the Beck version. I could only see pictures and eyeball measurements. I did not taper the tang like on Linger's. Never had the opportunity to put side by side of Beck or Linger. So they are not the same design similar with modifcations, Dave's is very difficult and unforgiving. You screw it up and you just trash it. :eek: I added 2 holes above the handle in order to add some tie down points for spear making, so when lashing you can rest assured that it will stay that way.
440C stainless steel and micarta scales. The handle also is set with screw fasteners so the buyer can customize it. Went with the Stainless Steel so less maintenance in the field and can focus on other priorities of work.
We are in process of moving operations from Indiana to Missiouri now. Should be up and going again by mid Feb 06.
Now for all of the nay sayers - you may have more experience and expertise in this field, Fine ok you are the nature god.;) But I made a very useful tool that works great. This is the first production run at this and I will get better, but let's test the thing before you trash me. I was just a guy like many others who desired a knife and could not get one so I made it for me that's it. I was asked by others to make them one and this just grew. My website sucks and not professional and the pictures were rushed because I wanted to hurry and put something up. I can send better pictures once the move is completed. I have all in storage now. Otherwise I could send eveyone what they wanted. If you are interested in putting helpful input send me your ideas let's see what can happen. Right now I need a sheath to fit 1000 pcs.
I have limited production to 1000 and they are serial number to track the lot performance. I listed on eBay because I wanted to see how it would work out. eBay and website is the only way I sell direct. Otherwise I have been finallizing a deal with resellers to sell the knives. I have been selling them for $249.95. I listed on eBay to see how they would do. Seems to be going ok. but if you do purchase one, I think you will be happy with the Knife, but like everything else you have your fans and critics. So what, who doesn't.
RED Scorpion Six Blades, Inc.
RS6-Blades signing off
aaron@redscorpionsix.com :cool:
 
The ebay description is a bit odd. Quite a few spelling errors. Seems to have been written very hastily, which does not speak well for the final product. I advise caution on this one :thumbdn:
 
A WSK test is an interesting idea. There are specific tasks the design was supposed to accomplish: making traps and rabbit sticks, chopping wood, skinning hides, etc. A benchmark should be both feasible and interesting.

I'm curious about one statement you made: "Dave's [design] is very difficult and unforgiving. You screw it up and you just trash it." What aspects of David Beck's design do you find to be that exacting? The saw blade? Something else?

Paul Long of Kerrville, Texas made the sheath for my WSK in a very short time indeed, and he did it very well. I'm not sure if he wants to produce a thousand of anything, but then I suspect you'll want to produce the sheaths on a JIT basis rather than pay for a thousand of them up front when you might not get a thousand sales for a while.

I'm surprised at the amount of negative feedback in this thread. Does every beginning knifemaker get hazed like that here? If you don't like the look of the knife, what exactly don't you like? I'm not specifically defending RS6, but I would get a lot more out of more informative criticisms.
 
BenchmadeBoy said:
The ebay description is a bit odd. Quite a few spelling errors. Seems to have been written very hastily, which does not speak well for the final product. I advise caution on this one :thumbdn:
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Guess I am not a fancy writer i just make things sorry I could not please your literary appettite. What would you like it to say?:jerkit:
RS6-
 
chardin said:
I'm curious about one statement you made: "Dave's [design] is very difficult and unforgiving. You screw it up and you just trash it." What aspects of David Beck's design do you find to be that exacting? The saw blade? Something else?
Click to expand...

Mostly the saw back. very hard to make right. the 1/4 round takes time and pay attention to detail. But you cut to deep on th saw back and you might as well pitch in the seconds bin. looks like crap if you make error. Probably still functional but guys got to have standards.
 
From what I can see, I don't think the knife looks too shabby. at $250 it looks like a refreshing break between the TOPS model and the $400-$600 customs. (assuming it's durable, holds an edge, well balanced and the grind lines are decent)

Do some tuning and refining, and you might have a real good thing going there.
 
Tell ya what, Red Scorpion. I live close by to you and belong to the Gateway Area Knife Club and we just happen to be having a knife show in St. Louis in a couple of weeks. January 28-29 at the Carpenter's Union Hall on South Hampton. How about bringing one of these knives to the show, so that we can check it out in person?

I'd love to see this knife. Do you mind if I ask who does your heat treating and who is actually making these?
 
OilMan said:
Dave,
If you don't mind my asking, why report it?:confused: Just wondering.

thanks,

oil
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For those of us who've been around the net a while, the first post in this thread resembled some we've seen before when a spammer who thinks he's smart pretends to be someone else to shill his own ebay auction. I've investigated and that doesn't seem to be what's happening this time, but it pays to be suspicious and investigate these things. :cool:

attachment.php
 
Thanks for clearing that up Cougar, I wasn't sure what was wrong with the post as it looked ok.:thumbup:

oil
 
This "Aron" guy doesnt seem to have his ducks in a row.......
Why dont you respond to other threads concerning this knife?????

I'd run like the redcoats!!! :p ;)
 
I also posted this is a similar thread............with no reply from someone whi is so interested in advertising :)

blgoode said:
wait a second......its there first post and there not ready with pictures.....................yeah........:thumbdn:

edited to add : I didnt mean to sound rude but the company is making 1000 of these knives at $199 a piece. Thats ALOT of money....to "NOT have pictures at this time"??

They should give this forum one to try out and I'd bet if there decent they would sell 1/3rd of them pretty fast. I have a Beck but for 200 dollars, I'd rather have a Tops company behind my factory made WSK.

I just dont like people being taken advantage of and this company sounds shady right out of the gate to me. Anyway - I'd be interested in seeing a performance test that would change my mind. With that said - Aron, let this forum take one for a test run friend.
Click to expand...
 
what do you think Red? Let us test drive one??? I see you ooogling this thread............:jerkit:
 
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